Board Of Governors Ratifies Terms Of New CBA

The National Hockey League's Board of Governors ratified the terms of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the National Hockey League Players' Association in a vote Wednesday.

"On behalf of the National Hockey League's Board of Governors, I am pleased to report that [Wednesday] we unanimously voted to ratify a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the National Hockey League Players' Association. Which means, to our fans all around the globe, hockey is back," said Jeremy Jacobs, owner of the Boston Bruins and Chairman of the National Hockey League Board of Governors. "This great game has been gone for far too long, and for that we are truly sorry."

Details of the new agreement will be made available following completion of the formal ratification process by the members of the NHLPA. That vote is expected to be concluded by Saturday.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman aslo spoke Wednesday afternoon after the Board unanimously ratified the terms of the new CBA during a Board of Governors session at a midtown hotel.

"I do have a personal statement to make. To the players, who were very clear they wanted to be on the ice and not negotiating labor contracts, to our partners who support the league financially and personally, and most importantly to our fans, who love and have missed NHL hockey I am sorry. I know that an explanation or an apology will not erase the hard feelings that have built up over the past few months, but I owe you an apology nevertheless."